Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE
SEATTLE,WA 98195
Performing Department
Restoration Ecology and Environmental Horticulture
Non Technical Summary
Over 300 of Washington's native plants are considered to be endangered, threatened or sensitive to decline. Habitat loss and degradation, invasive species, and climate change are among the myriad of threats that interact with one another to cause extirpation of rare plant populations. Declining levels of public funding over the last several decades resulted in a dearth of information on the status of these species. Consequently, the status of these species is poorly documented, which, in the short term, hinders accurate assessments of impacts of threats and in the long-term hinders our ability to understand the conservation needs for preserving plant biodiversity. Rare plant monitoring and seed banking of Washington's rare plants work in concert to achieve their long-term survival by addressing both the short-term threats to natural populations and the long-term need for germplasm to produce plant material for reintroductions and augmentations. Monitoring and seed collecting is carried by a corps of volunteers trained to monitor rare plant populations and collect seeds for storage in the Miller Seed Vault at the University of Washington's Botanic Garden. The project is conducted in partnership with the Natural Heritage Program and state and federal agencies. In 2013, 130 populations will be revisited and reported on by volunteers, seeds will be collected from 15 populations of rare plants, and approximately 20 new volunteers will be trained in monitoring and seed collecting techniques.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Goals/Objectives: 1. Improve understanding of rare plant populations for management decision-making. 2. Increase representation of Washington's rare plant species protected using ex situ conservation techniques. 3. Increase the available ex situ material for reintroductions. 4. Develop knowledge on the propagation protocols for native plants. 5. Increase awareness by the public about the need for conserving plant biodiversity. 6. Increase awareness of land managers about the distribution and condition of rare plant populations on their lands. 7. Detect population trends to assist with recovery of species.
Project Methods
We will: 1. Monitor 130 populations of sensitive plant species. A majority of populations to be monitored occur on federal lands (National Forests, US Bureau of Land Management lands, National Wildlife Refuges, and military reservations) throughout Washington State. 2. Collect seeds from 15 rare native plant populations. 3. Conduct germination and viability testing on collections added to the seed vault. 4. Train 20 citizen scientists to assist with conservation and restoration of rare plants. 5. Provide a population estimate of 5 highly imperiled species. The project will address short-term threats to natural populations and the long-term need for germplasm to produce plant material for reintroductions and augmentations.